I am a stranger. A total stranger. In fact, my lolo is the only one who introduced Dr Eufemio to me. I never saw him, met him, although I met him in my lolo's stories. I imagined him like what he is in real photos... only difference is that he is skinnier than from what i imagined at the back of my mind. All praises, all good memories, my lolo is 81 years old now, whenever we would catch up with each other during visits, he always tells stories about Dr Eufemio, how he treated them with care, so very empathetic with the poor and the unfortunate. He is very strict and straightforward, and yet very genuine. And honest too. My lolo told me to search for him. mail him his regards, by the way Dr Eufemio was once our family doctor. My lolo's name is Max Capili from Paco..... Dr Eufemio took care of my great grandparents, my grandparents and my mother....alll the vivid stories and jokes, I am deeply saddened to search him today August 12 2014 to find out he's already passed away a year ago...I dont know how to break the story to my Lolo a very sensitive man he is, and he's 81 now..... but Im happy, so happy to see this site for Dr Eufemio,, reading all those stories about him. What a great man he was, although I havent met him, I am deeply touched by the stories. I pray for you, Dr Eufemio, I will forever be in debt for your compassion, for touching so many lives, lives as simple as those like my family. I am just a stranger, actually I havent met him, but from my Lolo's stories, Im so glad I found this page for him. Thank You. Thank You Sir.

For most of the last six decades, to many of those who knew him, the name of George Eufemio was synonymous with surgery in the Philippines. When he passed away early this month, a few weeks short of his 83rd birthday, Philippine medicine and indeed the whole health sector lost a pillar of strength and an advocate of excellence in service.

After graduating from the University of the Philippines in 1956, Dr. Eufemio served the Filipino people in many capacities as a physician. As a practitioner, he did surgery on many patients including countless indigents who sought treatment at the Philippine General Hospital. As a medical teacher, he trained a whole generation of undergraduates and surgeons in all the hospitals where he practiced but most significantly his alma mater where he also served as Chairman and Professor of Surgery and Vice-Chancellor for Planning and Development in the 1980s. As a medical scientist, Dr. Eufemio was a prominent member of the UP-PGH Liver Study Group that earned a global reputation for advances in the treatment of liver diseases. To many colleagues in the academe, his crowning academic achievement was guiding the publication, as editor-in-chief, of the first Philippine Textbook of Surgery

Most of his friends and colleagues called him simply George. He was active in medical organizations, serving as president of the Philippine College of Surgeons and chairman of the Philippine Board of Surgery. He was involved as well in the Philippine Cancer Society as a member of its Board of Directors and outstanding Chair of the Manila Cancer Registry.

A proud and patriotic Filipino, George was nevertheless highly conscious and respectful of his Chinese roots. Perhaps for this reason, he allowed his close associates, including those whom he taught, to sometimes refer to him as “Akong” (a reference to a comic Chinese stereotype portrayed in an old radio comedy show of the late 1950s). The medical community will miss him.

- Albert Romualdez, Malaya Newspaper, 16 Jan 2013 

I remember and miss Uncle George for his warmth, kindness, good humor, and love for family, all of which I see have been passed on to his children and know will be passed on to his grandchildren.  I remember those times when he visited us in New York, memories highlighted by the special things we did (watch Jurassic Park in the theater when it first came out, watch Les Miserables on Broadway with Lea Salonga as Eponine). Like An I feel very lucky to have been able to spend time with Uncle George this past summer, probably the most time in the past 20 years.

I remember his vitality and love of tennis, his laughter and my own when he told one of his many funny anecdotes.  I also remember his devotion to and excellence in his life's calling, and the great admiration and respect he had from patients and colleagues alike.

We remember you today, your birthday, and always.  Thank you Uncle George.

Eric